Tankless Water Heater Installation for Reno & Las Vegas Homes

How Tankless Water Heater Installation Works

Installing a tankless water heater is a code-sensitive job. Depending on the system, it can involve gas, venting, plumbing, and electrical work, and it needs to be done to local and national code.

A mistake here isn’t just an inconvenience: it can void the manufacturer’s warranty, create a fire risk, or mean paying to fix it twice. Here’s how our technicians approach the job.

Site Inspection

We start by assessing your home’s water usage, existing gas or electric supply, and plumbing layout to help you choose the right size and location for your new unit, whether that’s indoor or outdoor, wall-mounted in a garage, or tucked into a utility closet.

Sizing comes down to more than square footage: we calculate peak water demand by adding the flow rates of the fixtures likely to run at the same time, not by comparing tank sizes in gallons.

Flow rate is the maximum hot water supply available at one time, so a unit sized for one bathroom won’t keep up with two showers and a dishwasher running at once. Larger homes with high simultaneous demand sometimes call for more than one unit.

Removing Your Old Water Heater

Your old tank-style water heater is disconnected from its power, gas, and water lines so the old unit and old heater can be removed before technicians replace it with the new system; that removal is part of the replacement process and clears access for the new installation.

Upgrading Gas or Electrical Lines if Needed

Tankless water heaters require more capacity than a standard tank heater was built for, especially at the gas lines. With gas models, a tankless gas water heater can require 90,000 to 130,000 BTU/h to heat water, and upgrades often mean increasing pipe size from 1/2-inch to 1-inch to deliver enough fuel.

By contrast, electric models draw significantly more power than a standard tank heater and may need upgraded wiring, dedicated breakers, or electrical service changes, and the electrical connections must match the unit’s voltage and circuit requirements.

We check this during the site inspection so there are no surprises once installation begins. Gas installations often cost more than electric models when that line work is needed.

Mounting the New Unit

The new tankless water heater is wall-mounted in the chosen installation location. This allows safe access for future service and maintenance.

It also ensures compatibility with the unit, whether that means indoor or outdoor placement in a utility room, garage, or on an exterior wall, with outdoor placement planned around weather exposure.

Installing Proper Venting

A gas tankless water heater needs a dedicated exhaust vent to safely carry combustion byproducts outside, along with enough air supply for proper combustion, and that venting must be approved, sized, and installed per the manufacturer’s instructions and local codes.

A tankless gas water heater also uses specialized vent materials rated for high temperatures. High-efficiency condensing units are more efficient than standard non-condensing models, but they also need a condensate drain to handle the moisture they produce.

Connecting Water, Gas, and Electrical Lines

Once the unit is mounted and vented, we complete the water, gas, and electrical connections, check every connection for leaks using a leak-detection solution on gas fittings and at the water pipes, and finish the electrical hookup.

This step typically includes isolation valves and a required pressure relief valve, and some installations call for an expansion tank or a sediment trap on the gas line. The manufacturer’s installation manual outlines the required fittings and piping.

Testing and Final Inspection

After startup, the process includes verifying the proper gas type, venting, and electrical grounding before we purge air from the water lines by running a hot water faucet, then checking ignition and water temperature to confirm everything is working the way it should.

We wrap up with the documentation, including a note of any important setup details for future service, and any inspections needed to confirm the installation meets local code.

Why Upgrade to a Tankless Water Heater?

Endless Hot Water on Demand

A tankless system heats water continuously as you use it, so a big family, back-to-back showers, or running the dishwasher and laundry at the same time won’t leave anyone stuck with cold water.

More Efficient Operation

Because a tankless unit only heats water when you’re using it instead of keeping a full tank hot around the clock, it uses less energy than a traditional tank water heater, which can help lower your utility bills over time.

Cleaner Water Supply

Without a storage tank sitting full of water, there’s no sediment or rust building up inside a tank to affect your water quality, and less of that kind of buildup to maintain over the life of the unit.

Space-Saving Design

A tankless unit mounts to the wall, freeing up the floor space a bulky tank used to take up in your utility room, garage, or basement, which matters most in smaller homes or tight mechanical spaces.

Longer Lifespan

A well-maintained tankless water heater can last up to 20 years, nearly double what you’d typically get from a traditional tank system, which means fewer replacements over time. Routine professional maintenance can also help reduce major repairs over time.

Reduced Risk of Water Damage

Without a large tank of standing water that can rupture or leak, a tankless system lowers your risk of the kind of flooding damage a failed tank water heater can cause.

Built-In Safety Features

Tankless systems come with safety features like a pressure relief valve, a device that helps prevent excessive pressure buildup if water overheats, and temperature controls that help the unit operate safely and protect your home. Many homeowners keep the temperature near 120°F to help reduce scalding risk.

Upgrading to a tankless water heater is a real investment in comfort and long-term value. Contact Hawthorne Plumbing, Heating & Cooling to talk through your options and schedule your installation.

Why Choose Hawthorne for Tankless Water Heater Installation

Quality Workmanship You Can Count On

We combine top-quality workmanship with genuine customer care, staying with you through every step of the project so you know exactly where things stand from start to finish.

Safety Is Our Top Priority

Our team of licensed, qualified professionals follows strict safety standards on every job, built on years of hands-on experience, to meet safety and code requirements and protect your home from electrical, gas, and water-related hazards during installation.

Fair & Affordable Prices

Our licensed technicians are committed to giving you honest, upfront pricing and quality work on every job.